UTC Summer Schools
Building practical expertise in international timekeeping.
Developing the expertise behind UTC
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) depends on contributions from time laboratories around the world. Maintaining this international reference requires not only advanced clocks and measurement techniques, but also the practical expertise needed to operate national time scales and contribute reliable data to UTC.
UTC Summer Schools provide practical training for scientists, engineers and technical staff working in time and frequency metrology. Organized through the BIPM Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer (CBKT) Programme together with Regional Metrology Organizations (RMOs), National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and other partners, they help strengthen the capabilities of time laboratories around the world.
Learning through practice
Practical training for time laboratories
UTC Summer Schools combine technical teaching, hands-on exercises and knowledge exchange, helping participants connect the underlying science with the practical work of operating a time laboratory.
UTC and UTC(k)
Understanding how UTC is computed, how local realizations are maintained and how laboratories contribute to Circular T.
Atomic clocks and time scales
Working with clock data, understanding clock behaviour and learning techniques for generating and maintaining national time scales.
Time transfer
Using GNSS and other time-transfer techniques to compare clocks and connect national time scales internationally.
Data analysis and monitoring
Checking clock and time-transfer data, using analysis tools and monitoring the performance of UTC(k).
Tutorials
Teaching from specialists in time and frequency metrology.
Hands-on training
Practical experience using data, tools and time-transfer techniques.
International exchange
Sharing experience and approaches with experts and peers from other laboratories.
Explore the programme
Explore information from UTC Summer Schools and related activities delivered through the BIPM Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer Programme and read related news articles below.
Explore CBKT activities →Explore the BIPM Time Department
Learn more about UTC, international time scales, scientific activities and future developments in timekeeping.
Return to the Time Department page →